T. Ipek et al., EFFECT OF CARBON-DIOXIDE PNEUMOPERITONEUM ON BACTEREMIA AND SEVERITY OF PERITONITIS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL, Surgical endoscopy, 12(5), 1998, pp. 432-435
Background: Laparoscopy is increasingly used in conditions complicated
by peritonitis. A theoretical concern is that carbon dioxide pneumope
ritoneum may increase bacteremia. Method: In 60 rats peritonitis was i
nduced by cecostomy. Animals were randomly allocated to pneumoperitone
um (PP) and control groups. Blood cultures and intraabdominal swabs we
re assessed. A peritonitis severity score (PSS) was computed based on
histology from peritoneal biopsy. Results: One hour after cecostomy ne
ither in abdominal swabs nor in blood samples bacteria were reproduced
in PP and control groups. Three hours after cecostomy the frequency o
f positive blood cultures was 80% and 20% in PP and control groups, re
spectively (p < 0.0001). Six hours after cecostomy the frequency of po
sitive blood cultures was 100% in each group (p > 0.05). One hour afte
r cecostomy the mean peritoneal severity score was significantly highe
r in the PP group than in the control group, but there was not any sig
nificant difference between groups 3 and 6 h after cecostomy. The mean
peritoneal severity scores were found to be significantly increased w
ith time when the PP groups compared with each other. Conclusion: In r
ats, pneumoperitoneum can't cause a more seven peritonitis but it does
induce an increase in the rate of bacteremia within the early 6-h per
iod of peritonitis.